Dr. Elliott Landon — Westport’s superintendent of schools from 1999 through 2016, who oversaw continued growth in the district and the opening of the new Staples High School building — died last night.
He came to Westport after 10 years in Long Beach, New York. Prior to that, he served 9 years as Ridgefield’s superintendent.
Landon began his teaching career at James Madison High School in Brooklyn, following his graduation from Columbia University’s Teachers College.
“06880” will post a full obituary, and service details, when they are available.
Dr. Elliott Landon, in his Town Hall office.
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There’s a local election looming. How much do you know about the boards you’ll be voting for?
Next Wednesday (September 6, 7 p.m., Westport Library), the Westport League of Women Voters hosts a forum called “Know Your Town: The Board of Education.” It follows 2 similar successful sessions, on the Representative Town Meeting and Board of Finance.
Three members of the Westport Board of Ed — chair Lee Goldstein, secretary Neil Phillips and member Dorie Hordon — will discuss how the BOE operates. Topics include governance of our school system, operating and capital budgets, deliberations on major policy decisions, and how the public can most effectively participate in the process.
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This Sunday’s 10 a.m. service at Saugatuck Congregational Church will be special. Guest minister Rev. William Salmond will provide time for worshipers to share their personal memories of Rev. Ted Hoskins, the longtime minister who died last month in Maine.
Rev. Hoskins touched many Westporters, in the church and beyond. All are welcome to attend.
Rev. Ted Hoskins
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Westport Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Nick Marsan joined Westport Community Emergency Team members Wednesday night, for their annual picnic.
CERT is a little known — but very effective and truly important — volunteer effort. They provide support during crises allowing Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel to concentrate on their tasks.
Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan (far right) and CERT volunteers. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
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Tomorrow is opening day for Elvira’s.
That is, Elvira’s Pizza. The new restaurant on Norwalk’s Belden Avenue is owned by Harry Yiovanakos, son of the founders of the former Westport deli of the same name.
Norwalk’s Elvira’s Pizza. (Photo and hat tip/Andrew Colabella)
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Here’s a first for our “Westport … Naturally” feature: a dead man’s hand mushroom.
It’s from Bobcat Trail, in the Partrick Wetlands off Wilton Road.
The wetlands are one of those hidden-in-plain-sight relatively unknown Westport jewels.
Photographer Matthew Mandell notes that there are new interpretive signs there, thanks to Earthplace. And, he says, it’s great for birdwatching.
(Photo/Matthew Mandell)
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And finally … it’s September 1. Fall does not arrive for another 22 days. But this date always makes me think of …
(Celebrate September with a donation to “06880”! Please click here — and thank you.)
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of Elliot Landon. He could be controversial, but powerful leaders usually are. He set a high bar for our schools and left an amazing legacy. Prayers of peace to his family. .
A good man, great superintendent and friend. Westport and countess families and students are better off because of Elliott.
I will remember Elliott fondly – personally for his humanity and his humor and professionally for his solid commitment to all the teachers and learners in our community. He served Westport well. Condolences to his family and friends.
I remember calling 203-341-1SNO and hearing his voice on cancellations or openings. It was a love hate relationship.
Elliott always thought about and did what was best for all, strictly apolitical. An asset to the institutions that made Westport Public Schools with the support of hiring and keeping the best teachers a district could want or need.
Very sorry to hear of Dr. Landon’s passing. He was the superintendent for most of the time I was on the Board of Education and provided solid leadership during those years. I hope that his wife and family are dealing with the loss in a way that helps them through the grief.
Dr Landon was a great superintendent who made a superb school system even better.
Condolences to his family and friends.
He was simply the best…I will miss him and our dinners and truly treasured our friendship. Much love to his family.
Terribly sorry and absolutely startled to hear of the passing of Dr Landon. If (when I was on RTM) I differed from Elliott’s public take on one or two issues, I 100% appreciated his consistency and his loyalty to the students of Westport. Elliott always served the role he was hired to serve. He always had my respect. And I always thought he took needless grief for the thankless job that he had! My condolences to his friends and family. This news really sucks.
A great superintendent and an even better person. Elliott loved the Westport community and its children, and he worked tirelessly to fulfill the awesome responsibility our community entrusted in him. I am grateful to have had the privilege of working with him on the Board of Education. My deepest condolences to his family.
A great guy! Elliot cared about our students, our teachers and our schools! And he always stood up for them! He was smart, a good friend, a charming host, had a wonderful voice and was fun to be with. His memory will be for a blessing!
We have the good fortune of being the Landons neighbors and will miss him dearly. Through the lens of my late father, a former Chicago public school educator (principal k-8), I see Dr. Elliott Landon’s tenure and legacy with these Westport schools as something beyond incredible. He’s simply the reason we’re here. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, former colleagues and all who are going through this difficult time.
During my many years serving on both, from the viewpoint of the PTA and then the Board of Education, I worked closely with Dr. Landon. He was always “all about the kids”. My condolences to his entire family — Brett Aronow